Govt liberalises marketing of grain
CABINET received an update on the Summer Crops Marketing and the Winter Wheat Planting, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable AJ Masuka.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that current grain stocks held by the Grain Marketing Board comprise 220 000 metric tonnes of maize, 40 000 tonnes of traditional grains, and 160 000 tonnes of wheat. Millers and stock feed manufacturers are being allocated 27 000 tonnes of maize and up to 7 000 metric of sorghum per month. All these stocks exclude private sector stocks, and the nation is food secure until the next harvest.
The nation is being informed that the Second Republic has liberalised the marketing of grain and allowed CBZ Bank, AFC Bank as well as private financiers to purchase directly from farmers the grain which they contracted to those farmers. The Grain Marketing Board is purchasing grain from farmers who received Government support, and from those who financed their own farming operations. Farmers are being assured that payments for grain deliveries will be processed as soon as possible in order to facilitate preparations for their next operations.
With regard to wheat, the nation is being informed that the 2022 Winter Season yielded a record 375 131 tonnes from the total of 80 883 hectares planted under various financing models. Efforts are underway to increase the total hectarage to 85 000 and achieve a new record of 408 000 tonnes from the 2023 winter wheat cropping programme. Following a good 2022/2023 summer rainfall season, irrigation water is abundant, while farmers are being assured of dedicated power supplies for their operations. The 4 257 hectares planted to wheat so far exceeds the 2 153 hectares planted by 8 May 2022, reflecting a 98 percent increase.
As for tobacco, the nation is being informed that so far this year, over 160 million kilogrammes has been sold at an average price of US$3/kg, exceeding the 114 million kg sold in 2022 at an average price of US$2.99/kg. Decentralised selling points set up by the Second Republic closer to previously disadvantaged farming communities have so far contributed 40 percent of total tobacco sales. More than 40 countries, among them China, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Belgium, Egypt and Indonesia are importing tobacco from Zimbabwe, and the significant foreign currency inflows are facilitating development programmes and uplifting livelihoods.
Cabinet also wishes to inform the nation that during the current marketing season, Government has adopted a grade-based pricing system payable at 85 percent in US dollars and 15 percent in the local currency.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority has set up 861 sales points for the 2023 cotton marketing season, where over 150 million kg is expected to be purchased by 5 contractors. The bulk of the crop, 85 percent, is being purchased by Cottco under the Government input support scheme.
ZIMBABWE’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID19 PANDEMIC
Cabinet received an update on Zimbabwe’s Response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a report on the roll-out of vaccines, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga.
Cabinet is informing the nation that as of 6th May 2023, Zimbabwe’s cumulative COVID-19 cases had reached 264 766, with 258 944 recoveries and 5 688 deaths. The recovery rate was 98 percent, with 134 active cases recorded. Three deaths were recorded during the week, compared to the zero deaths for the previous week.
The country recorded a more than 20 percent increase in new cases over the past two weeks, from 55 to 82 cases. However, the pandemic is still under control.
As of 6 May 2023, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered had reached 7 209 561 for the first dose, 5 387 507 for the second dose, and 2 004 408 for the third dose.
As the nation may recall, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a statement indicating that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International
Concern. Cabinet has directed as follows: ◆ That vaccination activities in all provinces should continue, with support from the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, and their teams;
◆ That the mandatory wearing of face masks be lifted as the country adopts the strategy on the long-term management of the COVID-19 pandemic;
◆ That all border measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 be lifted with immediate effect; and
◆ That tourists should no longer be required to produce COVID-19 vaccination certificates at ports of entry or at tourist resorts around the country.
UPDATE ON THE CHOLERA OUTBREAK RESPONSE
Cabinet received an update on the cholera outbreak response, which was presented by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Gen. (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga.
Cabinet is informing the nation that a cumulative 86 486 suspected cholera cases have been reported on the African continent, with 1 213 deaths reflecting a Case Fatality Rate of 1.4 percent. Zimbabwe has so far recorded 722 cases, with 669 recoveries and 5 deaths, reflecting a Case Fatality Rate of 0.69 percent. Only Matabeleland North Province remains unaffected by the cholera outbreak. The highest numbers of cholera cases have been reported in Manicaland Province at 214 cases, and in Matabeleland South Province at 203 cases. Cholera confirmed deaths have been recorded in Manicaland (2), Mashonaland Central (1), Mashonaland West (1) and Masvingo (1).
Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that the cholera risk assessment which should guide the application of the Oral Cholera Vaccination has been completed across all the 10 provinces. Active surveillance of points of entry and exit is continuing as part of a multi-sectoral approach in response to the cholera outbreak. Government is availing funds in order to bolster the country’s response.
UPDATE ON THE PRICE HIKES OF ESSENTIAL GOODS AND SERVICES
Cabinet discussed at length the price and basic food supply situation following a brief on the matter by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon Dr Sekai Irene Nzenza.
The nation is being informed that Cabinet is concerned by the spiralling prices of the 14 basic goods especially bread, flour, cooking oil and mealie-meal. The Minister of Industry and Commerce is already engaging the concerned stakeholders including manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and other associations on the matter. Given the urgency of the matter, Cabinet has set up a Committee to quickly investigate, monitor and make appropriate recommendations to Cabinet with a view to bringing sanity to the situation. The Committee will comprise the following Ministers: Industry and Commerce; Finance and Economic Development; and Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry and Commerce will issue an appropriate statement on the matter.
Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that
corrective measures will be taken in order to protect the transacting public.
REPORTS ON THE 1ST 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2023
Cabinet received reports on progress made as at Day 50 in the implementation of priority projects for the 1st 100-Day Cycle of 2023, as presented by the following Ministers: the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; the Minister of Local Government and Public Works; and the Minister of Health and Child Care.
1. The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, reported that the following progress has been recorded on projects under his purview.
The first three such projects are intended to fulfil the intention of the Second Republic to bring justice closer to the people, across all provinces and in all districts. In this regard:
(i) the construction of the new Epworth Magistrates Court was completed, and the building was commissioned;
(ii) works on the super-structures of the Gwanda New Court Complex in Matabeleland South Province, the Chiredzi New Magistrates Court in Masvingo Province and Mutawatawa New Magistrates Court in Mashonaland East Province are underway; and
(iii) the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) for efficient and effective justice delivery was successfully launched at the Labour Court and the Administrative Court on 1 February, 2023, while the testing of the system for the High Court and the Sheriff of the High Court is underway.
The policy on the rehabilitation of offenders is being implemented in tandem with ensuring that Prisons and Correctional Service institutions contribute to food security by utilising the land at their disposal. In this regard:
(iv) the harvesting of 30 hectares of the maize crop at the Mutimurefu Prison farm in Masvingo Province is underway and expected to yield 150 tonnes; and
(v) the harvesting of 80 hectares of the maize crop which was planted at the Hurungwe Prison farm in Mashonaland West Province is expected to yield 400 tonnes.
In order to prepare prisoners for smooth reintegration into society, the nation is being informed that:
(vi) 240 out of the targeted 800 inmates were successfully trained in Peace Education at Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province; and
(vii) at Harare Central Prison Vocational Training Centre, 16 inmates underwent trade testing, while 13 wrote their Theory examinations.
2. The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable J.G. Moyo, reported on progress on projects being implemented by his Ministry as follows:
◆ The construction of the Kadoma Registry Offices in Kadoma District, Mashonaland West Province, has reached 60 percent of completion;
◆ The adopted concept plan for the creation of a new city and provision of modern amenities to complement the Dinson Carbon Steel Plant at Manhize, in Chirumanzu District, Midlands Province stands at 30 percent complete; ◆ Under the programme to cater for people displaced by the Mbudzi Interchange construction project, the Hatcliffe Extension Layout Plan in Harare is at 40 percent completion; and
◆ The repairing and redecorating of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Offices in Kadoma, Mashonaland West Province is at 55 percent completion; ◆ Progress in health sector infrastructure
provision projects is as follows: ◆ Tshanyaugwe Clinic and Cottage in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province, is at 85 percent of completion and will benefit 5 559 people who currently travel 25 km to the next clinic; ◆ Mari-mari Clinic, in Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Province, has reached 80 percent of completion and will benefit more than 20 000 newly resettled community members;
◆ Mahwau Clinic Block in Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province, is 87 percent complete, and will reduce the walking distance for 12 000 community members from 12 km to 5km; the Faniya/ Mloyiswa Rural Health Centre in Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province is 72 percent complete, and will benefit 2 800 people; and the Mawabeni Clinic Staff House in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province is 80 percent complete. The staff house will accommodate 2 families whose members currently commute to work from Esigodini, some 10 kilometres away;
◆ In order to improve access to education across all provinces, progress in education sector projects comprises: construction of 2 Staff houses at Kanyimo Secondary School in Nyanga District, Manicaland Province is at 60 percent of completion, and will provide quality accommodation to 4 families of the teaching staff; construction of a classroom block at Mazonwe Secondary School in Mutare District, Manicaland Province stands at 65 percent completion, and will benefit 60 learners who currently use the existing farm house for classrooms; the construction of a classroom block at Chirichoga Primary School in Masvingo District, Masvingo Province to ease shortages of learning facilities is 30 percent complete. On completion, at least 100 learners will benefit; and Chimbi Primary School block in Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province is 73 percent complete and is part of the rehabilitation works at the school following damage by a storm in March 2022.
In the roads sector, the Minister highlighted progress as follows:
◆ The construction of the deck on Jamanda Bridge in Chipinge District, Manicaland Province is 65 percent complete. The bridge is along an important road that serves 15 villages as well as Chilo Gorge Lodge which is part of the Campfire project area in Chiredzi District;
◆ The rehabilitation of the Marenga-Chimututi Road in Buhera District in Manicaland Province stands at 50percent complete. The road will serve an estimated population of 9 000 people from 34 villages. The road links Gumbie Primary School, Svuure Business Centre, Svuure Secondary School and Clinic, and will benefit 2 000 households;
◆ the road grading and bush clearing of 10 kilometres of the Rudhanda-Svuure Road in Zaka District, Masvingo Province is 60 percent complete; and
◆ the spot-gravelling and grading of the Mutawatawa Access Roads in Uzumba-Maramba Pfungwe District, Mashonaland East Province has commenced. The 3km road provides the link to Mutawatawa Growth Point.
In the water and sanitation sector, the Minister highlighted progress as follows:
◆ the Mudzimu Piped Water Scheme in Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province is at 60 percent completion; ◆ rehabilitation of the sewer treatment plant in Empumalanga West Township in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province has commenced; and